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Is the word leste the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?

No

While the spelling and the primary meanings of "leste" are identical in both dialects—referring to the cardinal direction (East) and the second-person singular present tense of the verb ler (to read)—there is a significant difference in typical usage. In Brazil, the second-person pronoun "você" is the standard for most social interactions, which conjugates as "você leu." Consequently, using "leste" as a verb is rare and mostly restricted to specific regional dialects (such as in parts of the South or North). In Portugal, "tu leste" is the standard, natural way to address someone informally. Additionally, pronunciation differs: Brazilians typically pronounce the final "e" as a clear [i] (as in "lee-stee"), whereas in Portugal, the final "e" is much more closed or even almost silent.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. O sol nasce no leste. (The sun rises in the east.)
  2. A Zona Leste de São Paulo é muito populosa. (The East Zone of São Paulo is very populous.)
  3. O vento está soprando do leste. (The wind is blowing from the east.)
  4. O leste do Brasil é uma região muito quente. (The east of Brazil is a very hot region.)
  5. O horizonte no leste está bem limpo hoje. (The eastern horizon is very clear today.)

Portuguese (Portugal) Examples

  1. Tu leste o livro que te emprestei? (Did you read the book I lent you?)
  2. O sol nasce no leste. (The sun rises in the east.)
  3. Tu leste a mensagem que te enviei ontem? (Did you read the message I sent you yesterday?)
  4. O vento vem do leste. (The wind comes from the east.)
  5. Tu leste o jornal de hoje? (Did you read today's newspaper?)